Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesNikola Vucevic averaged 17.1 points per game and 10.3 rebounds last season at USC.

Nikola Vucevic worked out for the Nets today as part of the latest batch of prospects that came through their practice facility in preparation for the NBA Draft. As he scrimmaged, Drazen Petrovic’s jersey hung on the back wall of the gym. The former Nets star, who died in a tragic car accident 18 years ago this week, is a hero in his native Croatia and was a member of the Yugoslavian national team with Vucevic’s father, Borislav.

Vucevic, who was born in Switzerland, does not know much about Petrovic — only what he saw in a recent ESPN documentary and replays of some of his games. But he does know about the strong basketball tradition of the former Yugoslavia and Balkan region.

“I think I hear it a lot because a lot of good basketball players came out of that region,” Vucevic said. “I think out of all sports, we’re the best in basketball. We have a lot of good players all over the world.

“I think there are a lot of good players coming out of there and we — the younger players — should keep that going.”

After averaging 17.1 points per game and 10.3 rebounds last season at USC, Vucevic will likely be a first-round pick with projections showing him being taken early in the final third of the round — the Nets pick 27th. He is a sturdy 6-10 and 240 pounds, shows a deft touch around the basket with either hand and also has a face-up game.

Though he played three years of American basketball, he understands there may be questions surrounding his toughness that are stereotypical of European players.

“I think I have a European style of play, which is more finesse and more skill,” Vucevic said. “But I think that by coming here I learned how to play tougher and more aggressive and harder all the time. And play aggressive on defense and move quicker. I think I put those two together so it helped me a lot.

“I think during the season I’ve shown people I’m not a soft European like they say.”

Vucevic comes from good stock as his father played professionally until he was 44. In all that time, the elder Vucevic never missed a game.

Josh Selby (Kansas), Justin Harper (Richmond), Nolan Smith (Duke), Shelvin Mack (Butler) and Derwin Kitchen (Florida State) also worked out. Kitchen was a late addition as Marshon Brooks (Providence) pulled out due to an injury.

Selby was a player of intrigue at the workout. He was among the top incoming freshmen entering the college season and may go as high as the middle of the first round.

“He’s a basketball player,” Nets general manager Billy King said. “He just knows how to play. You find these guys from New York or Baltimore that just have a feel for playing basketball. They just know how to get things done, get to the bucket. If they need to make a jump shot, they do. A defensive stop. Those are the guys that are just basketball players and just know how to survive on the court and stay on the court.”